gradient wind

Gradient wind is the balance between the pressure gradient force, which pushes air from high to low pressure, and the combined effects of this force with the Coriolis force (due to Earth's rotation) and centrifugal force (from curved paths). It describes how air moves around areas of high or low pressure when the flow isn't directly toward or away from the center, but curves around it. This balance explains the actual wind pattern around high- or low-pressure systems, especially in large-scale weather phenomena like cyclones, providing a more accurate picture than assuming straight-line flow.